The relationship between religion and conflict has generated considerable academic and political debate. Although the majority of religions and spiritual traditions are replete with wisdom that propagates a broader unity among human beings, these same examples have been used to legitimize hatred and fear. While some studies claim that religion facilitates peacebuilding, reconciliation, and healing, others argue that religion exacerbates hostility, instigates vengeance-seeking behaviors, and heightens conflict. But religion does not act by itself, human beings are responsible for acts of peace or conflict, of division or reconciliation, in the name of religion. This book addresses these rather complex issues from the perspective of reconciliation, or atonement, to advance both the frontiers of knowledge and the global search for alternative paths to peace. The contributions in the volume focus in three areas: (1) Reconciling Religious Conflicts, (2) Reconciling Conflict through Religion, and (3) Religious Reconciliations. In each of these sections scholars, practitioners, and religious leaders address specific examples that highlight the complex intersections of religious practices with global conflict and reconciliation efforts. This informative and provocative book is relevant for students and faculty in peace and conflict studies, religious studies, humanities, social sciences, and provides insights useful to practitioners and professionals working in peacebuilding and international development seeking to promote effective resolution and reconciliation efforts.« lessmore »

Brandon D. Lundy is associate professor of anthropology and associate director in the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development at Kennesaw State University.

Akanmu G. Adebayo is professor of history at Kennesaw State University.

Sherrill W. Hayes is professor and associate director of the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development at Kennesaw State University.

TablesPreface and Acknowledgments, by Brandon D. Lundy, Akanmu G. Adebayo, and Sherrill W. HayesIntroduction: Examining the Paradoxical Role of Religion in Conflict and Reconciliation, by Brandon D. Lundy, Ziaul Haque, Akanmu G. Adebayo, Sherrill W. Hayes, and Aaron ClarkePart I: Reconciling Religious ConflictsChapter 1: Sources of the Radical Self: Extremism, Modernity, and Religion, by Daniel CereChapter 2: Education, Religion, and Religious Extremism, by Ratna GhoshChapter 3: Revisiting Muslim Identity and Islamophobia in the Contemporary World, by Dilmurat MahmutChapter 4: The Limits of Law in Resolving Religious Conflicts: Perspectives from Nigeria and Beyond, by Abiodun OdusoteChapter 5: Transnational Insurgency and Counterinsurgency around the Lake Chad Basin: Rethinking Boko Haram, by Olatunde O. TaiwoChapter 6: Land Use and Religious Movements: Entangled Spaces and Impending Conflict along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria, by Monsuru O. MuritalaPart II: Reconciling Conflict through ReligionChapter 7: Islamic Approach to Abrahamic Traditions, by Jusuf SalihChapter 8: How Mysticism Can Point the Way to Tolerance: Recognizing a Common Ground of Non-conceptual Experience in Meister Eckhart and Zen, by D. Clint JohnsonChapter 9: Reconciliation: Examining the Charleston AME Tragedy Victims' Forgiveness of Dylann Roof, by Chux IbekweChapter 10: Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission in Togo: A Useful Tool for Regime Maintenance or for Healing the Wounds of the Past for Peaceful Democratic Alternations? by Edoh AgbehonouChapter 11: Faith-Based Organizations and Refugee Women: A Case Study of the Assistance Provided by Faith-Based and Other Organization to Liberian Women Refugees in Ghana, by Joyce D. AcquahChapter 12: Religious Songs in Conflict Situation: An Interrogation of Selected Yorùbá Coded Church Songs, by Dolapo Z. OlupayimoChapter 13: Halal in Context: A Reconciliation of Muslim Foodways and Animal Welfare in Islam, by Sherrie D. AlexanderChapter 14: Testing the Co-Religionist Hypothesis in Sri Lanka, by Joel Elliott and Joseph G. BockChapter 15: The Role of the Catholic Church in Managing Interstate Conflict: An Examination of the Intervention of Pope Francis in Cuba-U.S. Relations, by John B. IdamkuePart III: Religious ReconciliationsChapter 16: A Pope, a Patriarch, a Spiritual Revolution, by Johan GaltungChapter 17: Searching for Shalom, by Albert SlomovitzChapter 18: Framing Conflict and Reconciliation in the Context of Zen Buddhism, by Michael J. EllistonChapter 19: Soka Nichiren Buddhism, by Julian GodwinChapter 20: Religious Resources for Reconciliation, by Tom Pynn

This book provides an interesting and eclectic set of case studies that problematize the paradoxical position of religion in modern conflict. With an important emphasis on under-addressed contexts like Africa, halal food, and religious songs, the book’s unique approach to the complicated interconnections between religion and reconciliation provides both academics and religious practitioners with evidence-based examples of religion’s social influence in the contemporary world. The book’s attempt to blend insider and outsider perspectives on religion as a driver of peaceful social change interrupts long held debates within the fields of Religious Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies.— Jeremy A. Rinker, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Though images of religion-related violence around the world shape our perception of activist faith in the global era, these thoughtful essays show that religion can be not only a source for conflict but also a basis for tolerance, acceptance, and reconciliation. It is a useful corrective and a significant contribution to the growing literature on religion and peacebuilding in all traditions.— Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California, Santa Barbara

Atone

Religion, Conflict, and Reconciliation

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Summary

The relationship between religion and conflict has generated considerable academic and political debate. Although the majority of religions and spiritual traditions are replete with wisdom that propagates a broader unity among human beings, these same examples have been used to legitimize hatred and fear. While some studies claim that religion facilitates peacebuilding, reconciliation, and healing, others argue that religion exacerbates hostility, instigates vengeance-seeking behaviors, and heightens conflict. But religion does not act by itself, human beings are responsible for acts of peace or conflict, of division or reconciliation, in the name of religion. This book addresses these rather complex issues from the perspective of reconciliation, or atonement, to advance both the frontiers of knowledge and the global search for alternative paths to peace. The contributions in the volume focus in three areas: (1) Reconciling Religious Conflicts, (2) Reconciling Conflict through Religion, and (3) Religious Reconciliations. In each of these sections scholars, practitioners, and religious leaders address specific examples that highlight the complex intersections of religious practices with global conflict and reconciliation efforts. This informative and provocative book is relevant for students and faculty in peace and conflict studies, religious studies, humanities, social sciences, and provides insights useful to practitioners and professionals working in peacebuilding and international development seeking to promote effective resolution and reconciliation efforts.

Brandon D. Lundy is associate professor of anthropology and associate director in the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development at Kennesaw State University.

Akanmu G. Adebayo is professor of history at Kennesaw State University.

Sherrill W. Hayes is professor and associate director of the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development at Kennesaw State University.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

TablesPreface and Acknowledgments, by Brandon D. Lundy, Akanmu G. Adebayo, and Sherrill W. HayesIntroduction: Examining the Paradoxical Role of Religion in Conflict and Reconciliation, by Brandon D. Lundy, Ziaul Haque, Akanmu G. Adebayo, Sherrill W. Hayes, and Aaron ClarkePart I: Reconciling Religious ConflictsChapter 1: Sources of the Radical Self: Extremism, Modernity, and Religion, by Daniel CereChapter 2: Education, Religion, and Religious Extremism, by Ratna GhoshChapter 3: Revisiting Muslim Identity and Islamophobia in the Contemporary World, by Dilmurat MahmutChapter 4: The Limits of Law in Resolving Religious Conflicts: Perspectives from Nigeria and Beyond, by Abiodun OdusoteChapter 5: Transnational Insurgency and Counterinsurgency around the Lake Chad Basin: Rethinking Boko Haram, by Olatunde O. TaiwoChapter 6: Land Use and Religious Movements: Entangled Spaces and Impending Conflict along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria, by Monsuru O. MuritalaPart II: Reconciling Conflict through ReligionChapter 7: Islamic Approach to Abrahamic Traditions, by Jusuf SalihChapter 8: How Mysticism Can Point the Way to Tolerance: Recognizing a Common Ground of Non-conceptual Experience in Meister Eckhart and Zen, by D. Clint JohnsonChapter 9: Reconciliation: Examining the Charleston AME Tragedy Victims' Forgiveness of Dylann Roof, by Chux IbekweChapter 10: Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission in Togo: A Useful Tool for Regime Maintenance or for Healing the Wounds of the Past for Peaceful Democratic Alternations? by Edoh AgbehonouChapter 11: Faith-Based Organizations and Refugee Women: A Case Study of the Assistance Provided by Faith-Based and Other Organization to Liberian Women Refugees in Ghana, by Joyce D. AcquahChapter 12: Religious Songs in Conflict Situation: An Interrogation of Selected Yorùbá Coded Church Songs, by Dolapo Z. OlupayimoChapter 13: Halal in Context: A Reconciliation of Muslim Foodways and Animal Welfare in Islam, by Sherrie D. AlexanderChapter 14: Testing the Co-Religionist Hypothesis in Sri Lanka, by Joel Elliott and Joseph G. BockChapter 15: The Role of the Catholic Church in Managing Interstate Conflict: An Examination of the Intervention of Pope Francis in Cuba-U.S. Relations, by John B. IdamkuePart III: Religious ReconciliationsChapter 16: A Pope, a Patriarch, a Spiritual Revolution, by Johan GaltungChapter 17: Searching for Shalom, by Albert SlomovitzChapter 18: Framing Conflict and Reconciliation in the Context of Zen Buddhism, by Michael J. EllistonChapter 19: Soka Nichiren Buddhism, by Julian GodwinChapter 20: Religious Resources for Reconciliation, by Tom Pynn

Reviews

Reviews

This book provides an interesting and eclectic set of case studies that problematize the paradoxical position of religion in modern conflict. With an important emphasis on under-addressed contexts like Africa, halal food, and religious songs, the book’s unique approach to the complicated interconnections between religion and reconciliation provides both academics and religious practitioners with evidence-based examples of religion’s social influence in the contemporary world. The book’s attempt to blend insider and outsider perspectives on religion as a driver of peaceful social change interrupts long held debates within the fields of Religious Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies.— Jeremy A. Rinker, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Though images of religion-related violence around the world shape our perception of activist faith in the global era, these thoughtful essays show that religion can be not only a source for conflict but also a basis for tolerance, acceptance, and reconciliation. It is a useful corrective and a significant contribution to the growing literature on religion and peacebuilding in all traditions.— Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California, Santa Barbara